J. Backlund Design

J. Backlund Design appears to be the
brainchild of Spacely Sprockets and
George Jetson, but it all started with a
chance encounter on a Harmony Central
forum. Luthier Bruce Bennett—from
Warrior Guitars and Bruce Bennett Music
Labs—was blown away by artist/designer
John Backlund’s flying car-like guitar
drawings. “When I saw John’s drawings
they hit me like a bolt of lighting…it
was something I wanted to see in a guitar
store,” says Bennett. “They invigorated
and inspired me as a builder because of
their unique designs—I instantly wanted to
build them.”

And it turns out Bennett wasn’t the only
one excited by these retro-futuristic
guitars. “John had 15-20 pages of
comments from people asking where they
could buy these guitars, says Bennett.
“That didn’t hurt.”

For Bennett, this new, out-of-the-box
project takes him back to a simpler, but
more creative time. “I grew up in the ’60s
watching The Jetsons and Frankenstein, Jr.
and The Impossibles so I always thought
I’d see flying cars,” says Bennett. “I love
the challenge of keeping John’s state-of-the-
art designs intact, yet making them
work as comfortable, functioning guitars.”

Like any creative project, taking something
from paper to production always has its
bumps. “We’ve had to scratch guitars John
couldn’t recognize as his original design,”
declares Bennett, who builds all of the
instruments by hand. “I just really want
to celebrate John’s skills and brilliance as
an artist and designer. That’s why I put his
name on the headstock and not mine.”

And as far as Backlund running out of new,
viable guitar designs any time soon—fat
chance. “There are about 90 more of
John’s designs to see the light of day,”
laughs Bennett. “I’ve got plenty to do.”

JBD-100
Not only does the JBD-100
provide full access to the 24th fret, it offers
a primo carve on the treble bout giving
your hand a natural place to rest during
those high-octane shredding solos. The
bass side’s curved arm scarf provides a
comfortable spot for your picking arm and
lets you comfortably balance the guitar
while playing it. The JBD-100 features a
mahogany body, a set mahogany neck with
rosewood fretboard, Lace Alumitones—a
bridge-position humbucker and neck
single-coil—a Hipshot Baby Grand bridge,
and all US-made electronics. Another
cool standard feature is the recessed
Electrosocket jack mount.

JBD-200
The JBD-200 has a familiar look, but with
a Jetsonian twist showcasing topographical peaks and valleys.
Constructed with a two-piece mahogany body, the guitar boasts
an integrated 10-screw steel-plated pickguard and tailpiece
that emphasize the instrument’s contours and different sections.
Also, it features a bolt-on mahogany neck with a figured maple
fretboard with ebony inlays, and Lace Alumitones—a bridge
humbucker and neck single-coil.

JBD-800
A futuristic guitar with a Jazzmaster-like look, the JBD-800 features some of the bodylines found on the Fender model,
but with the power and definition of ’50s tail fins on a Cadillac
Eldorado. This souped-up 800 features a korina body, a bolt-on
maple neck with a bird’s-eye maple fretboard, and is complete
with three Lace Alumitone single-coils.

Pricing and Availability
J. Backlund Design’s standard JBD-800 starts at $1995, the JBD-
200 starts at $2795, and the JBD-100 starts at $2995. Custom
options include numerous color combinations, several wood
alternatives, a N-Tune onboard chromatic tuner, and the choice
of different pickup configurations, including Seymour Duncan or
DiMarzio models. Each guitar comes with a custom TKL hardshell
case and an Ultimate Support GS-100 stand. Currently, Bruce’s
hands are the only pair building these guitars, so there’s a waiting
period of 90–120 days.

Chris Kies has degrees in Journalism and History from the University of Iowa and has been with PG dating back to his days as an intern in 2007. He maintains the website and social media, occasionally writes an artist feature, regularly hosts Rig Rundowns, and shoots/edits video for NAMM show coverage. Other than that, he spends time with his pitbull and enjoys non-guitar-related hobbies.

Stay Connected

Get our e-mail newsletter!

Get the PG Apps

On PremierGuitar.com, "Sponsored Content" refers to articles, videos, or audio recordings that are produced or curated by an advertiser but that Premier Guitar is happy to share alongside our own editorial content due to the Sponsored Content’s educational, musical, or entertainment value. Sponsored Content is clearly labeled everywhere it appears, and Premier Guitar's editorial department has no involvement in its creation.